RB Leipzig is considering paying the transfer fee demanded by 1. FC Cologne for Said El Mala, potentially exceeding 50 million euros. The club aims to replace injured Yan Diomande, who moved to Real Madrid. The club had previously considered Fisnik Asllani from Hoffenheim as an option but dropped the idea after the Kosovar failed the medical check.
The transfer of El Mala is seen as urgent, as new coach Martín Demichelis is pushing for more reinforcements. Sport Bild reported that Leipzig is willing to meet Cologne's demands. The transfer fee includes 50 million euros as a base, plus up to five million euros in bonuses for exceptional achievements. It remains unclear if Cologne still wants to realize the deal in the summer. Kaderplaner Thomas Kessler emphasized that El Mala will stay at Cologne after Borussia Dortmund's withdrawal: "I don't see any sadness in him. He wears our jersey and is proud to be a Cologne player."
There is no clear deadline for a transfer, according to Bild. With the season approaching, Leipzig is pushing for a quick agreement. The 60 million euro transfer fee could make the move for El Mala a reality, even though Cologne has no deadline.
